Today I’m sharing an excellent post from from local blogger and social impact/strategic designer, Monica Bilak. In it, she advocates for and expands on the recommendations of Jeff Speck and does a great job of presenting current plans in place for downtown.
She also discusses the obvious health benefits of more biking and walking:
“Our current society has traded our social lives, our physical health, and our children’s physical well-being for a car ride.”
In addition, Monica raises real concerns about the lack of a safe bikeable or walkable route to the college.
“My fear is that the discussion will get derailed, and that we never expand the idea to include the people who need it the most, the working poor. These are the people who could experience life changing benefits if we would simply change the built environment. Most are physically cut off from one of our largest employment centers, the Kentucky Oaks Mall, and our higher educational institutions, WKCTC and Murray State. If you don’t believe me, try riding or walking to any of those places. I dare you. Then imagine telling a high school student for whom working is not an option but a way to eat daily, about the best route to walk to the mall from Elmwood or Anderson Court.”
Our community is so fortunate to have critical thinkers like Monica Bilak and when they share accurate relevant thoughts, we should take a moment to hear them as we plan for the future of our community.
Read her full post here. It’s well worth the click.
